Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Chapter 7 Part 4

Bang!

“Y-Your Grace?”

The maid, who had been dusting the room, jumped up in shock. Ernst had stormed in, kicking the door open, his first demand being to know where Eleanor was.

Seeing the empty room, Ernst growled, “Where is Eleanor?”

“I-I’m not sure, Your Grace…”

Realizing he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted from the maid, Ernst turned and stormed out of the room again.

“Where could she be?” he muttered, his emotions more agitated than usual. He had abandoned his work and rushed here, but despite searching everywhere, there wasn’t a trace of Eleanor to be found. He had even asked Brianna and the Countess of Lorentz when he encountered them, but they too didn’t know where Eleanor was.

His search eventually led him to the door of the Empress Dowager’s office.

‘Do I really have to face that old woman again?’

Ernst thought with disdain, feeling no particular respect for the Empress Dowager. Dealing with someone who harbored countless hidden schemes was never easy.

He hesitated, but only for a brief moment. Ernst knocked lightly.

“Come in,” Berenice’s voice called from inside, and Ernst entered the room.

But once again, what he had hoped for wasn’t there. Berenice was seated alone, her presence stark against the empty room, but Ernst paid her little mind as he scanned the area.

“What brings you here, Your Grace?” Berenice asked.

“Where is Her Majesty?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know,” Berenice replied calmly. “I’ll inform her when she returns.”

“…And Eleanor?” His tone softened slightly as he asked about his wife. Berenice’s eyebrow twitched subtly. She had expected this but hadn’t anticipated Ernst coming directly to the Empress Dowager’s office.

Without showing any sign of her thoughts, Berenice shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know that either.”

“What do you mean? How can you not know where Her Majesty’s lady-in-waiting is during working hours?” Ernst sharply pointed out. It was standard protocol for any staff member to report their whereabouts to their superior or at least someone nearby.

Despite the pointed question, Berenice didn’t flinch.

“She’s with Her Majesty,” she replied.

“……”

Ernst had no response to that. The fact that Eleanor was with the Empress Dowager left him with no further questions. After a moment of silent contemplation, he turned and exited the room as quickly as he had entered.

“Damn it,” he cursed under his breath for the first time. Things had spiraled out of control, and now Eleanor was with the Empress Dowager, who had likely whisked her away. The entire palace was in turmoil over the scandal that had erupted that morning, and rumors were rampant that Eleanor might still attend the debutante ball this evening.

No one dared ask him directly about it, but Ernst’s mood was so foul that he could hardly focus on anything else. His wife had been accused of having an affair with another man, and not just any man but Childe von Ezester, the notorious troublemaker.

“What kind of behavior leads to something like this…!” His teeth clenched so tightly that an audible grinding sound escaped him. A passing attendant, startled by his fierce demeanor, flinched and hurried away.

Unable to meet with the Empress Dowager, Ernst decided his last resort was to go directly to the Emperor, the supreme authority of the palace. He would demand Eleanor’s dismissal from her position.

‘I’ll have her confined to the family estate,’ he resolved, hurrying to the audience chamber to request a meeting with the Emperor.

“The Duke of Ezester is currently with His Majesty. Could you please wait a moment?” the attendant informed him.

“The Duke of Ezester?” Ernst paused for a moment, realizing that the Duke, too, must have heard about the scandal involving Childe and Eleanor. It would be strange if he hadn’t, considering how widespread the news had become.

This situation had the potential to ignite a serious conflict, and Ernst knew he needed to approach it carefully.

“The Emperor will see you now.”

Despite the Duke of Ezester still being inside, the attendant, having received the Emperor’s permission, opened the door. As soon as Ernst stepped into the room, both the Emperor and the Duke of Ezester turned their attention to him.

“Ah, Duke, you’ve arrived.”

“Yes, I have.”

Though both men held the title of Duke, the differences between them were stark. Ernst, the Duke of Mecklen, was young, having inherited his title early, while the Duke of Ezester was a seasoned middle-aged man. Meeting under such unfortunate circumstances, their greetings were curt and brief, the tension between them palpable.

Sensing the stiffness in the air, the Emperor intervened to mediate.

“I’ve heard the news,” the Emperor began.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Ernst replied.

“However, nothing is certain yet,” the Emperor continued. “The time has been too short to conclude that these rumors are anything more than baseless gossip.”

“That may be true, but…” The Duke of Ezester’s deep voice rumbled, “The fault lies with me for failing to properly discipline my son. I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. If I can catch him, I will ensure that such chaos never occurs again. This matter will not be resolved with mere confinement.”

‘If I can catch him?’ Ernst’s mind latched onto the peculiar phrase within the Duke’s statement.

Noticing Ernst’s confusion, Lennoch explained, “Lord Childe disappeared last night without a trace.”

“……!”

“Seems he fled after the interview.”

Lennoch’s expression turned into a somewhat wry smile as he continued. Eleanor, who was unaware of the scandal when she arrived at the palace, hadn’t attempted to flee or hide when the news broke. The Emperor knew her whereabouts since she was with the Empress Dowager. However, Childe had vanished to avoid facing his father.

Childe’s actions were cowardly, leaving the chaos in his wake.

“The Ezester family will take full responsibility for this incident,” the Duke of Ezester declared, bowing deeply. “We will also accept any punishment for the dishonor my son’s actions have brought upon the imperial family.”

Ernst glanced at the Duke, who was bowing deeply. ‘This can’t be easy on his pride,’ he thought.

How many times had the Duke of Ezester been forced to bow his head because of his son’s reckless behavior? Childe’s repeated misconduct had severely tarnished his father’s reputation. Had Childe been less of a troublemaker, the balance of power among the three great houses might have shifted in Ezester’s favor, given the respect and loyalty many held for the Duke.

With his resolve firmed, Ernst spoke, “I formally request the dismissal of the Duchess from her position, Your Majesty.”

“……!”

The shocking request from the Duke of Mecklen visibly altered the Emperor’s expression. The Duke of Ezester, who hadn’t anticipated such a drastic demand, raised his head abruptly.

Under their combined gaze, Ernst continued with unyielding resolve. “The scandal has gravely tarnished the honor of the imperial family. She is no longer fit to serve the Empress Dowager. I request that you order her immediate dismissal.”

***

Norah anxiously paced near the entrance, unable to keep still. As people began to leave the palace, one by one, she searched their faces, but the person she was waiting for was not among them.

‘Lady Eleanor…’

Since Eleanor had gone to meet with the Empress Dowager, there had been no news. Norah had asked Berenice about her whereabouts, but she had only received an unhelpful response. Worried, she continued to wait, but as the sun began to set, painting the sky with deep hues of twilight, Eleanor still had not appeared.

Was she being interrogated?

Norah’s worry mounted as she paced restlessly, and soon, Brianna and the Countess of Lorentz appeared in front of her.

“What are you doing here?” Brianna asked, her tone sharp.

“I was waiting for Lady Eleanor,” Norah replied, her hands clasped tightly together.

The Countess of Lorentz, looking Norah up and down, clicked her tongue in disapproval, making sure Norah could hear her.

“The debutante is as good as canceled. She’ll be lucky if she’s not dismissed,” the Countess remarked.

“D-Dismissed?” Norah stammered, her eyes growing red with distress.

“After all, with such an unsavory scandal involving the Empress Dowager’s lady-in-waiting, do you think the imperial family will just sit back and do nothing?” The Countess’s words struck Norah like a blow to the head.

She hadn’t considered the possibility of Eleanor being dismissed. The very thought felt like a heavy stone sinking in her chest. Seeing Norah’s crestfallen expression, Brianna gently patted her shoulder.

“Don’t get your hopes up. You should go home. Or, if you’re free, why not come watch the debutante? It might take your mind off things,” Brianna suggested.

“I’m not in the mood,” Norah replied, shaking her head.

“Well, suit yourself. We’re heading out,” Brianna said, not pressing the issue further. She and the Countess of Lorentz boarded a carriage that had been prepared for them to attend the debutante as planned. Despite the scandal involving the Duchess of Mecklen, the debutante wasn’t canceled; it would be unfair to the young ladies who had been eagerly awaiting this day.

As the carriage carrying Brianna and the Countess of Lorentz pulled away, Norah stood there, watching it disappear in the distance, tears welling up in her eyes.

“What am I going to do?”

What if Eleanor really was dismissed, just as they had said? She shook her head, trying to dispel the ominous feeling that gripped her, but it was no use. Tears threatened to spill over as she considered the possibility.

Forgetful of her noble bearing, Norah sank to the floor, overwhelmed by emotion. “She’s really not involved with Lord Childe…”

Eleanor had insisted on her innocence, and Norah believed her. After spending months together, Norah had grown deeply fond of Eleanor, who treated her like a younger sister. Even if Eleanor had started a relationship with Childe, Norah would have supported her. But to be dismissed over a baseless accusation?

‘It’s just too unfair,’ Norah thought, her heart aching as if it were her own plight.

At that moment, she heard the sound of another carriage approaching from a distance. Norah, too disheartened to look up, kept her eyes on the ground. But the carriage stopped right in front of her.

Click.

“Lady Norah? Are you unwell?”

“No, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me—wait, what?” Norah’s head snapped up, her eyes widening in shock. The voice she heard was one she had longed to hear.

“…Lady Eleanor?”

It was Eleanor who stepped out of the carriage. Norah blinked in disbelief, unable to understand why Eleanor was standing before her when she was supposed to be in a private meeting with the Empress Dowager.

Just then, she heard a soft chuckle from inside the carriage.

“What’s with the bedraggled look, Norah? Get in, dear.”

“Y-Your Majesty?”

Norah’s shock deepened, her mouth hanging open as she realized that the Empress Dowager was also in the carriage. Berenice was nowhere to be seen, but the sight of the Empress Dowager and Eleanor together was startling enough.

Eleanor reached out her hand to the stunned Norah. “Would you like to join us, Lady Norah?”

“To where?” Norah asked as she took Eleanor’s hand and slowly got to her feet.

Eleanor stepped aside to make room for Norah to enter the carriage and replied with a gentle smile, “To my debutante stage.”